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When we hear the name Henry Cavill, we often picture that iconic red cape, the “S” on his chest, and the powerful figure of Superman soaring through the skies. While Cavill might look every bit the superhero with his chiseled abs, his recent box office journey has been more “Clark Kent trying to find his glasses” than “Superman saving the day.” Lately, Cavill’s career has seen some surprising highs and lows. Sure, he’s still one of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces, but his projects haven’t found the same level of success at the box office.
Take his recent departure fromThe Witcher,the popular Netflix series where we saw him trade capes for swords. While he earned massive popularity for his fabulous performance as Geralt of Rivia, his decision to leave the series sparked debates on social media, leaving fans questioning his next moves. And while many believed his Superman would fly again in the new DC Extended Universe, news of recast had fans facing the reality that Cavill might not return as theMan of Steel.Honestly, it’s not exactly the career trajectory one might have predicted for such a high-profile star.
Then there’s the James Bond speculation. For years, Cavill was rumored as a potential successor to Daniel Craig, but so far, the rumors have remained just, well, rumors. And while Cavill’s performances continue to showcase his acting prowess, many of his projects couldn’t capitalize on the actor’s power. His role in Netflix’sEnola Holmesbrought a unique arc to his career, but it’s clear that the star hasn’t quite landed the role that would solidify him as a leading box-office actor.
While his journey seems more of a rollercoaster than a steady flight upward, Cavill needs to find his next truly iconic role that will show he’s got more to offer than just strength and a hard-to-miss jawline.
Henry Cavill’s Small Roles Before Donning Superman Cape
BeforeHenry Cavillbecame the face of Superman, he was just an actor building his filmography with smaller and often overlooked roles. Cavill’s journey began with the little-known filmLagunain 2001, followed by a supporting role inThe Count of Monte Cristo,a film that saw him starring alongside some of the seasoned stars. This was his first time gaining some Hollywood exposure.
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Cavill continued to take on roles in British television, includingThe Inspector Lynley MysteriesandMidsomer Murders.He also ventured into adaptations withGoodbye, Mr. Chips.
The star’s trajectory continued with several other mixes of projects that feel like a nostalgic time capsule of early 2000s cinema. InI Capture the Castle,Cavill played a young, love-struck suitor, that gave him a chance to showcase his romantic acting skills. The mid-2000s brought him roles inHellraiser: HellworldandRed Riding Hood,films that didn’t do well at the box office but expanded his career resume. It was his minor role in 2007’sStardust,directed by Matthew Vaughn where he shared the screen with future megastars like Charlie Cox. Despite a brief screen time, Cavill’s part roles solidified his presence in the industry.
Henry Cavill’s Defining Role in The Tudors
One of Cavill’s defining pre-Superman roles came withThe Tudors,where he played Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. This Showtime series gained massive audience and Cavill’s portrayal was lauded for its gritty character. Moreover, the series was commercially well-received and was nominated for a Golden Globe and won an Emmy. It was his role inThe Tudorsthat put Cavill on the radar of Hollywood’s casting directors. The star even credited the show for bolstering his career in a YouTube interview stating,
“It’s done the most for me to date… I’ve done more work here than I’ve done in England. Now that there’s an audience somewhere in America that’s aware of who I am, I have more sell-ability, because of The Tudors.”
Not only this, Cavill was named the “Most Dashing Duke” byEntertainment Weeklyand was praised for his role inThe Tudorsand for displaying “charm, depth, and a killer bod.”
Even after success withThe Tudors,Cavill continued to take on small roles in other films likeBlood Creek, Whatever Works, Immortals,andThe Cold Light of Day.WithImmortals,Cavill embraced the role of a mythological hero and inThe Cold Light of Day,he starred alongside Bruce Willis. While each of his roles was small, Cavill continued to try it all before he finally soared the iconic Superman role inMan of Steel.
Henry Cavill Almost Starred As James Bond In Casino Royale
While Henry Cavill was taking up smaller roles to build his career, in 2005, he was nearly given the iconic role ofJames BondinCasino Royale.Of course, it was big for him as several other competing actors were coveted for the role. In fact, director Martin Campbell was quite impressed with Cavill and wanted him for the part. He saw his natural charisma, however, the Bond producers ultimately leaned toward casting an older actor to bring a more mature Bond.
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Eventually,Daniel Craiglanded the role, who undoubtedly redefined Bond with a raw and intense portrayal that took the show in a darker direction. Moreover, this action-spy thriller was a box office hit, grossing $616 million against a production budget of $150 million. Definitely, if it had been given to Cavill, it would have landed him at the top of the industry.
Following his rejection for the James Bond role, he was later considered to play Superman in 2004’sSuperman: Flyby.McG was initially on board to direct, with a script by J. J. Abrams, but he dropped out in June. That same month, Bryan Singer was approached to pitch his own idea forSuperman Returns. Despite not being a comic book fan, Singer signed on as he was inspired by Richard Donner’s 1978Superman. Early drafts of the script even referenced the September 11 attacks, though these were later removed.
Around the same time, Cavill was also a fan-favorite pick to play the iconic Cedric Diggory inHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.Sadly again, the role went toRobert Pattinson. While the author ofTwilight,Stephenie Meyer, envisioned Cavill as her “perfect Edward”, and fans were thrilled to see him play the brooding vampire, by the time the movie was greenlit, Cavill was considered too old for the role. Well, we did get to see Cavill’s somewhat vampire side in Netflix’sThe Witcher.
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Cavill’s rejection streak continued when he was rumored to play Batman inBatman Begins.While he later confirmed that he was never officially in the running, fans were rooting for the star to play the iconic superhero.
Henry Cavill’s Breakthrough As Superman in Man of Steel
Henry Cavill’s career took a leap when he was announced to star as Superman in Zack Synder’sMan of Steelin 2011. His breakthrough that redefined his image in Hollywood was hailed when Synder cast Cavill as “the perfect choice to don the cape and S shield.” In a statement from Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures, Synder said,
“In the pantheon of superheroes, Superman is the most recognized and revered character of all time, and I am honored to be a part of his return to the big screen. I also join Warner Bros., Legendary and the producers in saying how excited we are about the casting of Henry. He is the perfect choice to don the cape and S shield.”
Obviously, Cavill was thrilled to take on this role as it was both an honor and a career milestone for him. Moreover, his portrayal offered a fresh take on the character as he brought strength with vulnerability and his performance quickly cemented him as the modern face of Superman. The movie became the ninth-highest-grossing film of 2012, earning $670 million at the box office.
Cavill’s Superman wasn’t a one-off, he became a central figure in the DC Extended Universe. He reportedly reprised his role in the highly anticipatedBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justicein 2016, marking a major crossover event bringing Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman together in a cinematic universe for the first time.
Henry Cavill’s Struggle With Playing Superman
Henry Cavill’s journey with Superman had its share of challenges. In 2017, Snyder’s departure fromJustice Leaguedue to a family tragedy left the film’s vision in limbo, with Joss Whedon stepping in to complete the project. Cavill’s Superman was part of the theatrical release, but fans felt it lacked the depth Snyder intended despite the movie grossing $661 million at the box office. This led to a fervent campaign for Snyder’s original cut, culminating inZack Snyder’s Justice Leagueon HBO Max in 2021.
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This “Synder Cut” was hailed as a redemption for the original, offering fans a richer and more profound arc for Cavill’s Superman, scoring 71% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Speaking about this, Cavill shared withYahoo Entertainment,
“In my opinion, this is the first time we see Superman in truth. We have seen the origin story of Superman. We have seen the downfall and doubt of Superman. And finally, with his rebirth, we see the true Superman — the Superman who is confident and sure and full of hope and joy.”
While fans and Cavill hoped for a standalone Superman sequel, that path became uncertain. In 2022, Cavill surprised fans with a cameo inBlack Adam, signaling his return to the role. His announcement on Instagram about “wearing the cape yet again” sent excitement soaring, especially as he had also exited his beloved role inThe Witcher, seemingly prioritizing Superman. But within weeks, DC Studios shifted direction, opting for a younger Superman by casting David Corenswet.
Gun reportedly took to Instagram to share a post featuring Corenswet wearing the Man of Steel suit. While fans were rooting to see Cavill’s return as Superman, DC Studio shared that they’re no longer exploring the storyline of the superhero with Cavill in the lead. It was in fact confirmed by Cavill himself as he shared a statement onInstagramadmitting that he is no longer Superman. He said,
“I will, after all, not be returning as Superman. After being told by the studio to announce my return back in October, prior to their hire, this news isn’t the easiest, but that’s life. The changing of the guard is something that happens. I respect that.”
Though replaced, Cavill’s version of the character brought new layers of realism, compassion, and resilience to the superhero world. His portrayal continues to resonate with fans, making him an unforgettable part of Superman’s legacy, even as the cape is passed to a new generation.
Henry Cavill’s Small Roles in Box Office Hits
Beyond his iconic role as Superman, Henry Cavill has also excelled in supporting roles within blockbuster hits. In 2015, he starred alongside Armie Hammer inThe Man from U.N.C.L.E,playing a CIA agent Napoleon Solo. His on-screen chemistry with Hammer and his knack for dry humor brought a fresh, stylish energy to the classic spy series adaptation.
In 2018, Cavill upped the intensity by starring inMission: Impossible- Falloutas a lethal CIA assassin, August Walker, tasked with keeping Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt in check. Cavill’s portrayal as the determined, morally ambiguous Walker added tension and unpredictability, and his now-iconic brawl in the bathroom scene demonstrated his impressive physicality. Obviously, the million-dollar franchise was a huge success at the box office, grossing a whopping $791 million, giving Cavill recognition.
The same year, Cavill also appeared inNight Hunter,a dark psychological thriller where he played a cop against a twisted cat-and-mouse game.
Henry Cavill’s Another Milestone From The Witcher
Henry Cavill hit yet another milestone in his career with his portrayal of Geralt of Rivia in Netflix’sThe Witcher.A fantasy series based on the popular novels by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, the show first premiered in 2019. WhileThe Witchertook viewers on a wild, mystical journey filled with monster battles, political intrigue, and a brooding, white-haired Cavill at the center of it all, the actor was lauded for his fierce performance. Obviously, fans quickly fell in love with his interpretation, especially for his commitment to staying true to the source material.
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However, in late 2022, Cavill and Netflix made the surprising announcement that he would be stepping down fromThe Witcherafter the third season and Liam Hemsworth taking on the mantle.
Reflecting on his departure, Cavill admitted that he tried his best to keep his character faithful to the books adding, (viaThe Talks),
“Luckily I love strong opinions when it comes to this stuff because I’m the same, I feel the same way about the source material that I’m incredibly loyal to. And it’s something that I want to see represented in the best way possible. I can’t control the storylines of my work; I can’t control the plot lines, I can’t draw anything, really. But I can have an influence on my character.”
While fans were disappointed to see him leave, Cavill’s time as Geralt remains a defining part of his career. For Cavill,The Witcherwasn’t just another role; it was a passion project that showcased his love for the genre and endeared him even more to fans worldwide.
Henry Cavill’s Box Office Success With Enola Holmes
Another legendary role that gave stardom to Henry Cavill was the portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in 2020’sEnola Holmes.Starring alongsideMillie Bobby Brown, Cavill’s portrayal of the iconic detective was a refreshing take on his acting skills. The film which became the most-watched film on Netflix in the first five days of its release also became the seventh most searched film globally on Google in 2020.
With over 78 million viewers,Enola Holmesranked 7th onBusiness Insider’sBiggest Netflix Original Movies of All Time. With a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie was green-lit for the second chapter,Enola Holmes 2,which became number 1 on Netflix’s global weekly viewership with 64.08 million hours streamed across 93 countries. The second chapter received a 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with a third chapter currently under development.
Henry Cavill’s Box Office Flops
Not every role can be a box office smash and Henry Cavill too had his share of films that didn’t quite hit the mark. TakeArgylle,this spy thriller directed by Matthew Vaughn was meant to bring together a powerhouse cast including Cavill in a high-stakes action. Despite the hype, early reactions were lukewarm, scoring 33% on Rotten Tomatoes. Moreover, the film struggled to make a splash at the box office, flopping miserably after earning $96 million against a production budget of $200 million.
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Another box office flop came when Cavill re-teamed with Guy Ritchie forThe Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, a World War II spy action film based on a gripping true story by Damien Lewis. With Jerry Bruckheimer on board as a producer, hopes were high for this one, especially given Cavill’s past success with Ritchie onThe Man from U.N.C.L.E.But while the concept was promising, audiences found the execution lacking. The film had the makings of a classic spy thriller but faced a similar fate at the box office, grossing only $27 million against a budget of $60 million, leaving Cavill’s fans once again hopeful for a better showcase of his action-hero prowess.
Samridhi Goel
Content Writer
Articles Published :376
Samridhi breathes HOLLYWOOD. A seasoned professional content writer boasting three years of experience. Her expertise shines in the realm of entertainment, where she skillfully craft narratives that breathe life into movies, music, and pop culture. She has completed her Masters in Commerce but her obsession with Hollywood lead her to curate content for the same.
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ArgylleEnola HolmesEnola Holmes 2Henry CavillJustice LeageMan of SteelThe Ministry of Ungentlemanly WarfareThe WitcherZack Synder
